FBI Probes San Diego Mosque Attack as Hate Crime

The investigation into a shooting at a San Diego Islamic center is being handled as a hate crime. Notably, the suspects, identified as 17-year-old Kane Clark and 18-year-old Caleb Velasquez, were found dead in their vehicle a few blocks from the mosque, apparently from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

Chris Swecker, a former FBI Assistant Director, shared his insights regarding the situation, mentioning that the suspect’s mother had reported the firearm missing prior to the incident. He noted a significant rise in attacks on places of worship—up 533% since the year 2000. He commended security personnel who intervened, potentially averting further casualties from such hate-driven acts.

David Clark, Kane’s grandfather, expressed his grief, stating, “I am very sorry that something like this happened.” He remarked on the shock felt by the family, indicating they were still trying to grasp the situation. Kane was reportedly a member of the wrestling team at Madison High School, although a spokesperson for the San Diego Unified School District said he had been attending classes virtually since 2021.

The motives behind the attack are still unclear. Authorities have mentioned finding evidence of “hateful speech” attributed to the suspects, leading to the classification of the shooting as a hate crime. San Diego Police Chief Scott Wall revealed that the suspect’s mother reported him missing about two hours before the tragic event.

The situation escalated when the mother started connecting various pieces of information, which included the discovery that a firearm and parts of the vehicle were unaccounted for. Chief Wall indicated that she feared her son might be suicidal after piecing everything together throughout the morning.

As urgency grew surrounding the search for the boy, police learned he was wearing camouflage clothing and was with someone else. The investigation continues amid ongoing discussions about the increasing frequency of hate-related violence.